Emergency scam: “Victim is led to believe that they are sending funds to assist a friend or loved one in urgent need. Victim sends the money with urgency as the victim’s natural concern for a loved one is exploited.”

Within Double Oak we have seen the “Emergency Scam” multiple times as residents believe they are receiving a call from jail or a hospital and an “employee” is demanding bond money to get out of jail or credit card information to guarantee medical payment.

Grandparent scam: “This scam is a variation on the Emergency scam. The victim is contacted by an individual pretending to be a grandchild in distress, or a person of authority such as a medical professional, law enforcement officer, or attorney. The fraudster describes an urgent situation or emergency (bail, medical expenses, emergency travel funds) involving the grandchild that requires a money transfer to be sent immediately. No emergency has occurred, and the victim who sent money to help their grandchild has lost their money.”

Within Double Oak this fraud has been successfully ran be keeping the victim on the phone and having them run to a local discount store to prepare a wire transfer. The victim visited with us, after they transferred the money. It is of note that the wire transfer had, clearly printed on the form, that if you were sending money out of country it was probably a scam.

Overpayment scam: “The fraudster sends the victim a check that appears to be valid as payment for a service or product. Typically, the amount of the check exceeds what the victim expects to receive, and the fraudster tells the victim to send the excess back using a money transfer. When the check bounces, the victim is left responsible for the full amount.”

We have received multiple phone calls where residents advertising an item for sale online receive a check for more that the agreed upon amount. Invariably the “buyer” wants the seller to cash the check and send them the change…(if the seller doesn’t mind of course).

Phishing: “Communication impersonating a trustworthy entity, such as a bank or mortgage company, intended to mislead the victim into providing personal information or passwords. A Phish is a fraudulent attempt, usually made through email (although can also be made via phone or text), to steal your personal information or propagate malicious code or software onto your computer.”

A relative of mine fell for the fake anti-virus scam. He contacted the company offering the “anti-virus” (to get rid of the malware he downloaded), and then paid $800 dollars for the privilege of giving strangers remote access to his home computer for approximately four hours.

Relationship scam: “Victim is led to believe that they have a personal relationship with someone they met online often by social media, in an online forum or on a dating website. The victim is often emotionally invested, often referring to the recipient as a fiancée.”

Within Double Oak we have seen multiple cases of overseas nationals striking up online relationships with residents and the bilking the resident out of thousands of dollars.

Tax scam: “Victim is contacted by someone claiming to be from a governmental agency saying that money is owed for taxes, and it must be paid immediately to avoid arrest, deportation or suspension of driver’s license/passport. The victim is instructed to send a money transfer or purchase a pre-loaded debit card to pay the taxes. Government agencies will never demand immediate payment or call about taxes without first having mailed a bill.”

During tax season, unfortunately, this scam seems to be effective. If you call enough people someone is having tax problems and it is very easy to believe that the Internal Revenue Service is going to issue a warrant for your arrest. Again, please, remember that the Internal Revenue Service will not chase you down via telephone demanding payment.

If you, as a resident of Double Oak, ever have any concerns about a mailing, email or text message, or phone call demanding a payment…or claiming to be from a governmental agency…don’t hesitate to contact our office. We would be glad to visit with you and investigate the facts and circumstances when appropriate.

You can also make great strides in protecting yourself from a scam by NOT answering telephone calls from unknown callers. By not responding to unsolicited emails. By NOT opening your front door to unknown solicitors. The unknown phone caller, the unknown emailer and the unknown door to door solicitor all have the same trait. They WANT something from YOU. Almost always your money. Ignore them, they will move on.

Remembering Charlotte Allen

Town of Double Oak Secretary Charlotte Allen has announced her retirement after 17 years of service to our municipality. Charlotte brought her knowledge of the local community (her family tree has roots in Denton County all the way back to the 19th century), experience as a City Secretary for Denton and genuine love for our little town to work every day. She has been an institutional mainstay and has helped guide our organization from a two person operation, situated in what was practically a travel trailer, to the Town Hall you see today. Along the way Charlotte has attended close to 400 council meetings, countless board meetings, helped coordinate dozens of elections, and answered thousands of questions about wide-ranging subjects (trash, to trees, to zoning to is it a burn day?). Every lot, building plan, ordinance, council minute and budget has passed through and been archived by her office.

When I was hired in 2009 Charlotte Allen was the welcoming face and spirit of Double Oak. She literally introduced me to hundreds of residents in that first year and explained the background on a wide variety of Town issues. She patiently helped me through the first budget process and provided unlimited guidance on how to work with Town Council. I can credit a lot of our organizational success to Charlotte’s patience, perseverance and dedication to the Town of Double Oak.

On behalf of the police department thank you for your dedicated service and we’re going to miss working with you Ms. Allen!

Thanks Salernos

Thank you to Mike Salerno of Salerno Italian Restaurant and Morris Salerno of Bistecca Italian Steakhouse for the generous contribution of 62 chairs for our council chamber. Salerno has moved to a new Highland Village location at the northeast corner of FM 407 and Highland Village Rd. The Salernos were aware of the need to replace our 17-year-old council chamber chairs and generously donated seating that was in near new condition. On behalf of the Town of Double Oak, thank you!

Recent Police Calls

11-15-18 – Credit Card Abuse – Double Oak – During the conduct of an investigation into theft by deception it was determined that a known suspect, and an accomplice, had used the complainant’s credit card without permission.

11-16-18 – Driving While Intoxicated – Double Oak – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Patrol Officer suspected that a motorist may be driving while intoxicated. A female, 38 years of age, was taken into custody for suspected intoxicated driving (with a child under fifteen years of age in the car), transported to a hospital for a blood draw and then taken to Denton County Jail.

11-18-18 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Officer discovered suspected drug paraphernalia. A citation was issued to the motorist.

11-19-18 – Harassment by Electronic Means – A resident reported a known person continually harassing them with unwanted contact by electronic devices.

11-19-18 – Possession of Marijuana under Two Ounces and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Officer located marijuana and a firearm being carried by the suspect. A male, 19 years of age, was taken into custody and transported to Denton County Jail.

11-23-18 – Driving While Intoxicated – Double Oak – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Officer suspected that a motorist may be driving while intoxicated. A male, 51 years of age, transported to a hospital for a blood draw and then taken to Denton County Jail.

12-07-18 – Arrest – Double Oak – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Officer determined that a motorist had multiple misdemeanor warrants for arrest. A female, 51 years of age was taken into custody for expired registration, expired operator’s license, failure to maintain financial responsibility and failure to appear in court.

12-11-18 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Double Oak – During the conduct of a traffic stop a Double Oak Officer determined that a motorist had suspected drug paraphernalia. The suspected paraphernalia was seized and a citation was issued.

12-12-18 – Lost Property – Double Oak – A resident reported a lost work phone.

12-12-18 – Credit Card Abuse – Double Oak – A resident reported that their credit card information had been stolen (probably cloned) and used at multiple locations in Dallas / Fort Worth. An investigation is ongoing.

12-22-18 – Assist Agency – Bartonville – A Double Oak Officer assisted Bartonville PD with a vehicle search in which marijuana and a pistol were found. One adult male was arrested and transported to Denton County Jail.

12-23-18 – Suspicious Circumstances – Double Oak – A resident reported an unknown person shining a flashlight through their windows. Upon further investigation it was determined to be a female jogger making laps through their neighborhood.

12-23-18 – Shots Fired / Criminal Mischief – Lantana – Double Oak Officers and a Denton County Deputy responded to a Lantana resident reporting shots fired at approximately 11:54 p.m. Further investigation revealed a residential window had been damaged by a pellet/bb.

01-01-19 – Mail Fraud – Double Oak – A resident received an envelope through the United States mail with an offer to be a “mystery shopper” and a check from an unknown person. Our resident was told to take a percentage of the check and then purchase gift cards and ship them to an address out of state. Involved documents have been forwarded to the United States Postal Service.

01-02-19 – Theft – Double Oak – A resident reported that items had been taken from delivered packages by an unknown person.

01-09-19 – Animal Complaint – Double Oak – A homeowner reported being chased, in their own yard, by a domestic hog. Officer was unable to locate the animal.

01-11-19 – Mail Fraud – Double Oak – A resident reported receiving a “gift-card” scam through the mail. The resident received a check that was to be deposited by the prospective “employee”. The recipient was then expected to purchase gift cards and return them to the check sender. Information has been forwarded to the United States Postal Service.

01-13-19 – Prisoner Transport – Lewisville – A female, 36 years of age, was arrested for multiple Double Oak warrants by Lewisville PD and then transported to jail by Double Oak PD.

01-15-19 – Animal Complaint – Double Oak – The police department received notification about a resident being bit by a dog.

01-16-19 – Hit and Run – Double Oak – A motorist reported their car being struck while parked in a Double Oak church parking lot.

01-16-19 – Arrest – Double Oak – An adult male 38 years of age was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) greater than 4 grams. The controlled substance was located during a traffic stop in a school zone.

01-17-19 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Double Oak – During the conduct of a traffic stop officer found suspected drug paraphernalia and issued a citation to the motorist.